# Chess game: Kythereia vs. glee

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [February 21, 2005, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199 "2005-02-21T17:02:03Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/21 "2005-02-25T03:32:20Z")

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> [@glee](#):
>
> It depends on your degree of geekiness.
> 
> I am good at chess. 🆒  
> Chess is not interesting to most women. 😕  
> Therefore most women are not interested in me. ☹
> 
> The real test comes when you watch the original ‘Thomas Crown Affair’. Steve McQueen is playing chess with Faye Dunaway. She decides to distract him by stretching and showing cleavage. She strokes captured pieces. Finally she sucks the head of a bishop.  
> Now the question is: like me, can you tell what the position on the board is?  
> If so, you are a chess geek!

I haven’t seen the movie in a long time so I can’t claim that pleasure, heck, I’m not even that good of a player.

I just love the game. I give up material early on to gain position and then find myself unable to hold the position, usually. But it’s fun.

I do own _Searching for Bobby Fischer_ though.

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**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/22 "2005-02-25T03:39:06Z")

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> [@Kythereia](#):
>
> Hmmmm… _purrs, blows a kiss to **ronincyberpunk** _
> 
> Chess _is_ very sexy, you know…
> 
> Kythereia glee
> 
> 1. d4 Nf6
> 2. e4 Nxe4
> 3. f3

[joey from Friends]How you doinnnnn Kyth[/joey]

Oh, and since you didn’t say yea or nay on advice during the game I’m just going to run with it and hope you don’t mind. If you do, I sincerely apologize and will keep further comments held until after the game…

As I said, I’m not really that good at playing so I’m curious what glee thinks, but from what I know on the opening, three consecutive pawn moves is not usually that advantageous (with exceptions of course). The opening is about not only fighting for control of the center but also developing pieces and so while you have moved three pawns (one of which he captured) he already has a knight out and about on the board and has since withdrawn it back to safety for the time being.

Just my 2 cents. Keep rocking the board!

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**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/23 "2005-02-25T16:03:24Z")

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> [@ronincyberpunk](#):
>
> As I said, I’m not really that good at playing so I’m curious what glee thinks, but from what I know on the opening, three consecutive pawn moves is not usually that advantageous (with exceptions of course). The opening is about not only fighting for control of the center but also developing pieces and so while you have moved three pawns (one of which he captured) he already has a knight out and about on the board and has since withdrawn it back to safety for the time being.
> 
> Just my 2 cents. Keep rocking the board!

In chess, there are useful guidelines for every sort of position. You can’t achieve all of them simultaneously, so it’s down to experience which guidelines matter most at any one time.

In the opening (first 6-10 moves by each side) you should:

- bring out as many pieces as possible
- control the centre (d4, e4, d5, e5), especially with pawns
- castle your King into safety

So pawn moves that control the centre are certainly useful. However too many of them will mean you don’t develop enough pieces.  
There is a well-established opening variation, the ‘French Advanced’ which begins:

1. e4 e6
2. d4 d5
3. e5 c5
4. c3

Now here the centre is blocked, which means it is not so urgent to bring pieces out.

Unfortunately an overriding principle is ‘don’t lose material for nothing’. So in this game it doesn’t matter as much that Kytheria was trying to control the centre, as that she lost her e-pawn for now’t.

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**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/24 "2005-02-25T17:17:32Z")

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I never claimed to be any good. :smack: 😃

My normal opening strategies consist of trying to bait other pieces with my pawns and gain control of the center, like **glee** has noted–which obviously hasn’t worked this time. Woe.

Kythereia glee

1. d4 Nf6
2. e4 Nxe4
3. f3 Nf6
4. Nh3

**glee** , I’d like to see some of those mating positions… 😉

How _you_ doin’, **ronincyberpunk**? _blows another kiss_

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**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2005, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/25 "2005-02-25T21:03:42Z")

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> [@Kythereia](#):
>
> Kythereia glee
> 
> 1. d4 Nf6
> 2. e4 Nxe4
> 3. f3 Nf6
> 4. Nh3
> 
> **glee** , I’d like to see some of those mating positions… 😉
> 
> How _you_ doin’, **ronincyberpunk**? _blows another kiss_

Like I said, I’m just offering my 2 cents. I had an unusually successful day of chess today, could be because I wasn’t playing blitz today. Only lose once out of five games. When it’s blitz the ratio is reversed.

This early in the game, you just claim your opening was a gambit and act like you wanted him to take that pawn. A secret of chess is to just keep acting like you meant for it to happen, no matter what _it_ is.

Right glee?

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**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/26 "2005-02-26T01:35:53Z")

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Kythereia glee

1. d4 Nf6
2. e4 Nxe4
3. f3 Nf6
4. Nh3 c5

> [@Kythereia](#):
>
> **glee** , I’d like to see some of those mating positions… 😉

Certainly. Try these:

1. d4 Nf6

2. Nd2 e5

3. dxe5 Ng4

4. h3 Ne3

5. fxe3 Qh4+

6. g3 Qxg3++

7. e4 e5

8. Bc4 Nf6

9. Nc3 Nxe4

10. Bxf7+ Kxf7

11. Nxe4 Nc6

12. Qf3+ Kg8

13. Ng5 Qxg5

14. Qd5++

The monkey climbs the tree\*  
\*err, I don’t know how that one slipped in (so to speak)

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**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/27 "2005-02-26T01:38:54Z")

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> [@ronincyberpunk](#):
>
> This early in the game, you just claim your opening was a gambit and act like you wanted him to take that pawn. A secret of chess is to just keep acting like you meant for it to happen, no matter what _it_ is.
> 
> Right glee?

I did exactly this in a county match once. In a tricky position, I blundered a piece. But I must have kept a poker face, because when the game finally finished, my opponent heaved a sigh of relief and said he thought I meant to sacrifice it!

But good moves beat inscrutibility!

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**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/28 "2005-02-26T02:25:17Z")

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> [@glee](#):
>
> But good moves beat inscrutibility!

Unless you’re Mikhail Tal, the magician of Riga, the man who confused positions for the sake of confusing them, regardless of immediate gain.

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**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/29 "2005-02-26T13:32:34Z")

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> [@ronincyberpunk](#):
>
> Unless you’re Mikhail Tal, the magician of Riga, the man who confused positions for the sake of confusing them, regardless of immediate gain.

Tal was a genius. If he hadn’t had poor health, he’d have been World Champion.

I know it looks as if Tal was confusing positions, but there was always a reason for what he did. He would, for example, sacrifice a piece for 2 pawns plus an attack. This suited his attacking ability, and his ‘reputation’ probably disheartened his opponents too.  
Later in life, Tal had an amazing unbeaten run (60+ games, IIRC). Many of these were positional. All great players can play in every style.

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**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/30 "2005-02-26T17:09:18Z")

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_watches **ronincyberpunk** and **glee** , sighs deeply with admiration, googly eyes_

Ahem! Back to the chessboard:

Kythereia glee

1. d4 Nf6
2. e4 Nxe4
3. f3 Nf6
4. Nh3 c4 (because I doubt your pawn could move three squares in one move ;))
5. c5

And those are some very impressive mating positions! _purr_

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**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/31 "2005-02-26T17:46:19Z")

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> [@Kythereia](#):
>
> Kythereia glee
> 
> 1. d4 Nf6
> 2. e4 Nxe4
> 3. f3 Nf6
> 4. Nh3 c4 (because I doubt your pawn could move three squares in one move ;))
> 5. c5

I’m afraid you’re slightly confused my dear. The ranks (rows) are increasing from 1 to 8 starting at the row nearest white, which is you for this game. The files (columns) go from a to h going from white’s left to the right. So your c pawn is on c2, so it would move to c4. And glee’s c pawn starts the game on c7 and moves to c5.

Does this make sense? If you’d like I can make up some graphics to make it easier to understand.

And don’t let it fluster you, I still have to have letters and numbers by my board or else I get confused as to which is where. And I was taught chess by my dad when I was about 8. So I’ve had plenty of time to get these things confused.  
So the fixed move coordinates are:  
Kythereia glee

1. d4 Nf6
2. e4 Nxe4
3. f3 Nf6
4. Nh3 c5
5. c4

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**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/32 "2005-02-26T17:52:00Z")

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…ooooh. _turns scarlet_ :o

Thank you, **ronincyberpunk**! _blushes and tries to hide_

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**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/33 "2005-02-26T17:58:34Z")

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No need to be embarassed Kyth, honestly - there are many good players who get confused over board coordinates. However cute a blush might be. You’ll get the hang of it.

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**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/34 "2005-02-26T22:52:19Z")

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> [@ronincyberpunk](#):
>
> I’m afraid you’re slightly confused my dear. The ranks (rows) are increasing from 1 to 8 starting at the row nearest white, which is you for this game. The files (columns) go from a to h going from white’s left to the right. So your c pawn is on c2, so it would move to c4. And glee’s c pawn starts the game on c7 and moves to c5.
> 
> Does this make sense? If you’d like I can make up some graphics to make it easier to understand.
> 
> And don’t let it fluster you, I still have to have letters and numbers by my board or else I get confused as to which is where. And I was taught chess by my dad when I was about 8. So I’ve had plenty of time to get these things confused.  
> So the fixed move coordinates are:  
> Kythereia glee
> 
> 1. d4 Nf6
> 2. e4 Nxe4
> 3. f3 Nf6
> 4. Nh3 c5
> 5. c4

Well done, that man!

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**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\
**Post date:** [February 26, 2005, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/35 "2005-02-26T22:57:48Z")

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Kythereia glee

1. d4 Nf6
2. e4 Nxe4
3. f3 Nf6
4. Nh3 c5
5. c4 cxd4 (my pawn on c5 takes your pawn on d4)

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**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2005, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/36 "2005-02-28T15:53:49Z")

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To quote a character from a mediocre movie, “BATTLE!!!” (Michael starring John Travolta).

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**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2005, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/37 "2005-02-28T17:52:52Z")

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_quick smooch to **ronincyberpunk** , along with some seducing_

Arrrgh! **glee** , I forgot about that pawn on d4… :smack: ☹

Kythereia glee

1. d4 Nf6
2. e4 Nxe4
3. f3 Nf6
4. Nh3 c5
5. c4 cxd4 (my pawn on c5 takes your pawn on d4)
6. e5

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2005, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/38 "2005-02-28T18:43:37Z")

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Re: Smooching - Ya know, with all this smooching and seducing, in some countries we’d be married by now.

Re: Missed that pawn - And what did I tell you about mistakenly giving up a piece? Act like it’s natural!

And now for some new info. Now that you have a passed pawn, do you know what _en passant_ is? It’s a more obscure chess rule that many players never learn until their in the middle of a game and someone does it to them. Quick and dirty definition [here](http://www.gamecolony.com/chessrules.html) (second diagram down). I always just thought of it as the capturing pawn clotheslining the captured pawn. I dunno if that helps you understand it or not.

Or, now that I’ve written the whole paragraph, I don’t know if you even need the explanation…

But being the good hubby\* I am, I thought I’d go ahead and cover it.

- 
  - Void where prohibited. Valid while supplies last. Beware legal status in various smaller countries. 30 day wedding-license back guarantee.

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**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2005, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/39 "2005-02-28T19:05:26Z")

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Somehow I wouldn’t much mind that _smooches some more_ 😉

I just figured out what _en passant_ means, and I’ll try to use it properly… _crosses fingers, prays she doesn’t embarrass herself_

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**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\
**Post date:** [February 28, 2005, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/chess-game-kythereia-vs-glee/291199/40 "2005-02-28T19:30:14Z")

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😉

I don’t know if you’ll get to use it or not, but I thought that since you had the passed pawn (e5) then it might be useful to know.

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